Ring



July 28, 1936.

E. MOLDENHAUER 2,048,878

RING

Filed Nov. 9, 1935 ATTORNEY Patented July 28, 1936 RING Eric Moldenhauer, New York, N. Y., assignor of one-half to H. Clayton Smith, Forest Hills,

Application November 9, 1935, Serial No. 49,018

7 Claims.

This invention relates to rings, and more particularly finger rings, and in its preferred form is essentially a wedding ring.

This application contains matter similar to that of my copending application Serial No. 28,823 filed June 28, 1935 entitled Wedding ring.

In my copending application and in my issued Patent No. 1,936,604 granted November 28, 1933, I disclosed a form of finger ring made with two parts, namely, an inner and outer band so constructed and arranged that the inner band swivels at substantially diametrical points on pivots connecting it with the outer band. It is so arranged that the marriage vow, or other suitable or desired legend may be engraved on the outer surface of the inner band and provide for the protection of any such engraving or record against wear, while at the same time permitting the eventual detachment of the inner 20 and outer rings upon the parting of the married couple.

This application relates to various means or forms of construction of such rings, and in particular means for holding the nested parts of the ring, either two or more, in their position to form a solid ring, while readily permitting the relative oscillation of the parts of the ring for inspection of the record of marriage date or legend engraved on the otherwise covered and protected surface. The purpose is to assure the parts of the ring being securely held in register for normal use, and still assure easy swinging of the parts when oii the finger into relatively open position voluntarily, and then again readily permitting the closing of the parts together to form a solid ring.

Forms of the construction are shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. I is a side elevation of the ring with parts nested to form a solid ring as one on the finger.

.Fig. II shows a two-part ring with the inner member in perspective, showing it pivoted with relation to the outer member.

Fig. III is a side elevation, part fragmentary, of the outer ring and the inner ring member separated before they are connected by the pivots.

Fig. IV is a side view on an enlarged scale, of a fragmentary portion of a form of joint for locking the ring members together.

Fig. V is a view similar to Fig. IV as showing amodified form of construction.

' Fig. VI is a complete inner ring on a slightly smaller scale, showing side elevation of a modified form.

Fig. VII is a side elevation of complete ring with modified form of locking construction, part fragmentary.

Fig. VIII is a similar view, of another modified form of locking construction.

Fig. IX is a section with a perspective of a portion of a ring, on a larger scale, showing a hollow or tubular inner ring member with a modified form of locking means.

Fig. X is a section on a larger scale, showing a modified form of tubular inner ring member with a varied form of holding means.

In the drawing, the ring consists of the outer ring member A, and in Figs. I, II, and III the inner ring member B and pins CC are permanently inserted to form substantially diametrically disposed pivots on which the inner ring member B may swivel on the outer ring member, and when in registration, that is in the same plane, forming a solid ring for normal use.

In Fig. II. the displaced ring members are shown turned half round compared with Fig. I, displaying on the front of the inner member B snaps or lugs D, and showing in juxtaposed position, on the inside of the outer ring A, the recesses E into which the lugs or snaps D register. r

In the enlarged view Fig. IV, the snaps D are shown as secured near the adjacent ends of the outer skin of the inner ring member B. In this construction, the inner ring member is cut, as by a jewelers saw, with a very narrow slit F from its outside surface, half way or less through, that is radially inward, then the saw cuts a concentric slit G--G in each direction away from the radial cut, and thereby severs the outer skin of the inner ring member from the inner portion, leaving the inner surface of the inner ring part continuous throughout its circumference. In this manner two tongues or flaps HI-I are provided which at their adjacent ends may yield to pressure on the snaps D to the extent of the cut or slit G, permitting the band B to slide intonesting position. 7

The metal of which rings are made, platinum or gold, or otherwise, has sufiicient spring so that with the flaps I-IH formed in this manner the inner ring member swivels on its pivots to bring it in registration with the plane of the outer ring, and the snaps engaging the edge of the outer ring with a beveled surface on the snaps, force the snaps radially inward against the spring resistance of the flaps I-II-I, and when complete registration is reached the snaps D then are forced radially outward to engage the recesses EE on 55 the inside of the outer ring member. This forms an ample locking means to hold the two ring parts in their nested position to resist any force that would disturb their position in normal use. However, when removed from the finger, slight lateral pressure on the inner ring relative to the outer ring readily permits, due to the beveled surface of the snaps D,- the lateral, movement and thereby the turning of the inner ring into its position for ready examination of the outer surface of the inner ring. The edges of the inner surface of the inner ring may be suitably beveled in the usual manner, but preferably leaving a sec tion J adjacent the slits G-G flat, to assure the maximum metal remaining at this point toprovide the general strength of the member where part of the material has been cut away.. This section J, thus provides a surface substantially flat and suitable for the imprinting or engraving of any desired dates or other marking. v

In Fig. V a substantially similar construction provides a single flap H with a single snap D, by cutting away the material in one'slit onone side of the radial cut F, forming a construction usable in certain forms of rings. 1

In Fig. VI the construction shown in FigQV is formed in diametrically opposite positions in order to more securely hold both diametrically opposite sides of the inner ring against displacement. I n a 7 In Fig. VII the inner ring B is formed with its pivotal connections C'C', but on one side midway between the pivots the entire inner ring member is cut away as at K, with snaps D'D" close to the ends adjacent theslit or cut, and the spring in the entire metal, when so formed, depending upon the radial thickness of the band, is sufficient in certain cases to assure spring tension to hold the snaps into the recesses 'on the inner surface of the outer ring.

In Fig. VIII the inner band B is nested with pivots or gimbals in the outer ring, to swivel inand-out of nesting position as in thegeneral form of this type of ring, but the latch L is a'separately applied spring member set in a recess on the outer surface of inner band B which recess is narrower than the width of the outer surface of band B so thatwhen thetwo band members are nested their sides are substantially in the same plane and contiguous, so that the 'latch is concealed. 5 In Fig. IX, on a largerscale, an inner band B? is formed of tubular material, as shown by the section of the fragmentary portion illustrated. Such tubular construction is'bent round and then the ends soldered together to form the ring. The shape of this tubular inner ring member being flat on the outside, has a'flap H cut in it, as shown, leaving a short spring tongue H on which the catch D is formed or rivetedso as to provide the latch for the locking together of the two ring members in nested position. The tongue H is preferably formed before theends of the tubular material are soldered togethen'to' facilitate its formation and attachment of the'catch D.

In Fig. X, the inner ring band B is forme'd of two parts namely, an approximately semi-tubular member M with its edges peened over the edges of a fiat circumferential strip N, which in metal used for such purposes is springy, so that the catch. D may be formed thereon, or two such catches on substantially, opposite sides of the ring, and when so made the catches may be readily formed by repoussing or pressing outwardlythe slight'im dentation before the band N is permanently connected with the trough section of the inner ring. In dotted position the outer ring member is shown in register, that is in nested position, in section, for normal wearing of the ring.

It will thus be seen that rings in accordance with my invention are easily made by forming the outer band or member A ofthe desired width, thickness and shape of section, and then in a simple manner cutting the recesses EE for the latch either on one side or on opposite sides in predetermined position. The member A may be part or whole jeweled in the usual manner, parherewith illustrated in detail, and is of a width usually substantially the same as the outer band A. Thereupon the rings are nested with the latch or latches engaging, and at substantially diametrically opposite positions the pins CC are inserted in holesdrilled through both rings, or as set forth in my previous patent above-identified, each pin may pass through only one of the bands and partially penetrate the other, but in any case each pin is permanently soldered to one of the bands, but rotatable in the hole in the other band, thus forming a bearing on which the parts of the ring may oscillate.

In the case of wedding rings, the present fashion'involves relatively narrow rings so that the inner surface of the outer band and. the outer surface. of the inner band are made cylindrical, and to assure a tight joint at the junction of the two bands, and on both sides of the ring deformation of the inner member, when a solid band must be avoided. To meet the requirements for practical use for the purposes of such type of ring I provide on each ring any one of the forms of latch construction herein shown and specifically described, or any modifications thereof within the scope'of my invention as set forth in the claims herein. While one form of latch provides for the entire circular joint between the bands presenting a tight fit to exclude foreign matter from working into the joint, I find that the forms herein shown, wherein the outer surface metal of the inner band. is severed from the continuous inner skin of the band by'a cut from side-to-side, presentsno difiiculties in manufacture and is not objectionable in use. Particularly as any foreign matter entering the slits which are made to produce the tongue or flap, is soft matter such as soap which clears itself from the slit when the ring is removed from the finger and slight pressure to swivel the ring members or hands is exerted, or the slit may be readily cleaned on the seldom occasions when any foreign matter has lodged therein. As strength of the ring is essentially provided by the outer band, resisting any radial pressure of the inner band, the minute amount of material cut from the inner band, in any of the forms herein shown, in no way affects the strength and utility of the article as a whole.

When forming the inner band of a tube of any special form, such as shown, it is possible to in sert a spring wire within the tube with a bent end or stud projecting through a hole in the'outer skin of the inner band, toform the latch, and

.be curved transversely invarious ways, such as shown in my issued patent above-identified, or

otherwise, to assure their readily nesting or "opening, and combined with means for locking in nested position and ready relative displacement of the members of the ring voluntarily when desired. While I have illustrated the stud for the latch as having beveled sides, such permits easy closing and opening, but as such parts are minute they may be formed conical or otherwise, so long as they provide for the easy operation and at the same time the firm holding when the ring is in normal use. Also the recess to receive the stud or bolt may, for convenience of manufacture, be a beveled groove milled or otherwise countersunk on the surface juxtaposed to the latch stud, which in manufacture requires less accuracy as to the circumferential position.

It will be understood that when the constructions herein shown and claimed are used in the form of ring construction shown in my co-pending application Serial No. 28,823, as, for example, an inner ring band substantially semi-circular, the latch serves in like manner to lock the part circular separable or pivotal inner band member into its nested position readily, and also to permit its oscillation on its pivots to its open position permitting ready inspection of the marriage vow or any legend or dates inscribed on the outer surface of the inner ring member. This also is'advantageous with respect to French or segmental jeweled rings, as preserving the full strength of the head of the ring for jewel mounting and placing the oscillatable inner ring portion at the shank with the latch construction, so that both are in combination with the protected portion in spite of any cutting away of material for the latch mechanism. In the case of a full jeweled ring the recess for latch engagement may involve a conical stud or bolt fitting the round hole normally at the time of a jewel setting, or two or three of the jewels may be omitted at the place in the circumference where a specific groove or recess is provided for latch engagement.

In all, the constructions provide for a surface on which dates, legends or sentiments may be forever recorded throughout the existence of the ring,because such surface is permanently protected from any wear which otherwise obliterates the engraving which now is commonly inscribed on the inner surface of a ring.

Many variations may be made from the constructions herein shown and described without departing from my invention, but what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A ring consisting of two separately made parts of relatively different diameter both having substantially the same width of band, pivotal connections substantially diametrically opposite each other connecting the two parts and permitting their relative oscillation, a spring latch formed on one of the parts intermediate the pivots, and a recess on the juxtaposed surface of the other part for engagement of said latch.

2. A two-part wedding ring having a continuous outer band, an inner band engaging the inner surface of the outer band, pins connecting the outer and inner band permitting relative pivoting of the two bands, a spring latch on the inner band and a recess on the outer band adapted to register with the latch, whereby the two bands are held in nested position.

3. A wedding ring consisting of two concentric bands fitting one within the other with their juxtaposed surfaces of substantially equal diameter and of the same diameter from side-to-side on both of said two bands, pins connecting the two bands to permit their oscillation into and out of a common plane, two latches formed on opposite sides of the inner band intermediate the pivots, and means of engagement on the outer band for each of said latches.

4. A finger ring formed of a plurality of concentric bands held by pins on opposite sides permitting the oscillation of an inner band into and out of the plane of another band, whereby the outer surface of the inner band is exposed to view, a latch formed on the outer surface of the inner band including a radial cut in the outer surface part Way through said band and then extending laterally circumferentially a predetermined distance, whereby a section of the outer portion of the inner band becomes a spring member of the latch.

5. A wedding ring of the character described including nested outer and inner bands of substantially equal width, a double latch formed on the inner band and means of engagement therefor on the juxtaposed portion of the outer band, said latch being formed by an incision across the outer surface of the inner band merging into limited circumferential slits, whereby two opposed spring leaves are formed for the yielding part of the latch.

6. A wedding ring of the character described including two nested continuous bands pivoted for relative oscillation, said two bands having their juxtaposed surfaces of substantially identical diameter and of substantially uniform diameter from side-to-side of each band, a latch formed on the outer surface of the inner band and a recess for engagement of the latch on the inner side of the outer band.

7. A ring of the character described, having an inner band pivoted to an outer band, a latch intermediate the pivots and a beveled latch-bolt on the inner band, and a recess for engagement thereof on the outer band so formed and constructed that the latch-bolt will be depressed when pivotally swinging the inner band into nested position with the outer band, and will readily permit voluntary shifting of the inner band out of its nesting position.

ERIC MOLDENHAUER 

